Beet-topper.



s. R. GIDDINGS E D. T. BLEVINS.

BEET TOPPER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1907.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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S. R. GIDDNGS @a D. T. BLEVINS.

BEET TOPPER.

APPLIGATION FILED APR.22.1907.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

S. R. GIDDINGS & T. BLEVINS.

BERT TOPPER.

APPLICATION FILED 11.23.22. 1907.

Panted Jan. 12, 1909.

4 SHBETS-SHBET 3.

@if @n (BMW/ S. R. GiDDINGS @l D. T.

BLEVINS.

BEET TOYPl-RL APPLIGATION FILED APR. 22. 1907.

Eatented. Jem. 12.1909.

ping position.

UNITED STATES PATENT onirica.

SQUIRE RALPH GIDDINGS, OF TIMNATH, AND DAVID T. BLEVINS, OF WINDSOR, COLORADO, ASSIGNORS TO THE YANKEE B'EET TOPPER COMPANY.

Baar-TOPPER.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that We, SQUIRE RALPH GID- DINGs and DAVID T. BLEvINs, both citizens of the United States, the said SQUIRE RALPH GIDDINGs residing at Timnath, in the county of Larimer, State of Colorado, and the said DAVID T. BLEvINs residing at Windsor, in the county of Weld and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Beet-Toppers; and We do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same7 reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in beet toppers, our object being to provide a thoroughly practicable machine for properly performing the topping function of `beets or other similar vegetables having tops to 'be removed. l

The invention will now be described in detail reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of our improved machine with one of the ground wheels removed in order to better illustrate the mechanism. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine showing the beet topping mechanism raised above the topping plane. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the eet topping mechanism lowered to the top- Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4 4 Fig. 2 viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a side elevation in detail of the rotary guide, plow or disk. Fig. 'is a sectional view of the same taken on the line 6-6'Fig- 5. The disk supporting'arm, however, being shown in elevation. Fig. 7 is a top view in detail 0f the beveledv washer for adjusting the position of the topping knife. Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8 8 Fig. 7, the knife bar being shownin elevation.

Fig. 9 is a top view in detail of the gage, they cutter knife and the guide disk or plow shown in their proper relative positions. Fig. 1() is a rear detail view of a roller arranged above the topping knife and coperating therewith dur-ing the performance of the beet to ping function, the roller supporting arm eing Specification of Letters Patent. Application lled. April 22, 1907. Serial No. 359,702.

Patented Jan. 12, 190e.

partly broken away. Fig. 11 is a sideI view of the same.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate the top frame bar of the machine which is centrally located and connected at its rear extremity as shown at 6 with a depending U-shaped frame 7 Whose parallel arms 8, form the support for the axle 9 which is journaled in the said arms. Upon the extremities of this axle are made fast ground wheels 9^ which form the support for the machine. The frame work is further provided with braces 10 connected with the forward portion of the beam 5 on opposite sides, the said braces extending downwardly and outwardly from the said bar, their lower extremities being connected with the axle by means of clips 12 in which the axle is free to rotate.

Secured to one lof the arms 8 of the U- shaped member and extending rearwardlydisposed arm 15 to whose lower portion is attached a rotary concavo convex disk 16 provided with a central hub 17 journaled on a spindle 18 having an eye 19 at one extremity t rough` which asses the lower end of the bar l15. This disk isadjustable on the bar by loosening a nut 20 threaded on the extremity of the spindle and engaging the convex surface of the disk. The lower end of the said bar is cylindrical in sha e as shown at 15^, whereby it is adapted to t the opening in the eye 19. This construction permits the adjustment of the disk by turning the eye uponthe supporting bar, thus causing the disk to stand at any desired angle to the travel of the machine. The bar 15 together with the disk may be raised and lowered by means of a lever 21 connected with the bar by a link 22. This leveris provided with a pawl or dog 23 adapted to engage notches formed in a cpadrant 24 connected with the guide 13 as s own at 25. l

-Pivotally connected with the arms 8 of the frame, is a vertically swinging frame 26 comosed of upper arallel bars2-7 and lower parallel bars 28. ach of the bars 27 as shown in the drawing is formed double. The forward extremities ofthe bars27 are pivotally connected with the bars 8 above the axle as tremities of the bars 28 are washer is beveled as shown at 37.

shown at 29; while the corresponding expivotally, connected `with the bars 8 below the axle -as shown at 30. -The rear extremities ofthe bars 27 and 28 are pivo'taily the depending parallel arms 32 of an invertedU-shaped frame 31, the oints of connection being shown at 33. he U-shaped frame 31 is provided with a transverse bar 34 to which is secured a' washer 35 by means of 'an eye-bolt 36.v The rear face of this Through the eye 38 of this bolt, passes the arm 39 which supports the topping knife 40. This knife-supporting arm 1s connected with the bar 34`by` means ofthe eye-bolt, a nut 40 bein applied to the threaded extremity of the olt to clamp the ,arm 39 in place. By means of this construction it is evident that the to Vping knife may be raised and lowered at will)or yadjusted vertically as may be desired. Tf it is desired to'regulate the inclina-l tion of the arm 39, the osition of the washer may be changed and) by virtue of its beveled or inclined face, it is evident thatthe aforesaid adjustment may be effected.

The rear extremity of the swinging frame 31 is provided with arearwardly extending arm 41 vupon which is slidably mounted a weight 42. This arm 41 is connected with the top'of the U-shaped frame as shown at 43 and is also' provided with a forwardly located eye 44 with which is connected one extremv ity of a chain 45 which passes over a guide the frame. wardly and forwardly from the pu1ley'46, its

' wardly projecting rod 51 .tremity is connected the rear end .forward of the topping kni e knife occupies a position inclined to the forpulley 46 mounted on a stationary vpart 47 of This chain also passes downlower and forward extremity being connected with the lower end ofthe lever 48 fulcrumed on the frame as shown at 49. This lever asses through a slotted opening 50 formedD in the beam 5.l j,

To each of the arms 27, is attached an upto whoseupper exo a lever 52 fulcrumed on an arm 8 las shown at 53. To the forward extremity of each arm 52 is slidably connected, a weight54. -The two weights54 may be termed counterbalance weights. They are freely adjustable on the levers 52, and by means of them, any desired counterbalance result with reference to the swinging frame may be obtained. y

upperpart vof the U- Connected with the shaped frame 31 is a pair of forwardly and downwardly extending arms 55 whose lower and forward extremities are connected with the upper extremity of a gage 56 which'is downwardly and rearwardly inclined, its lower extremity occupying a osition just 40. This ward travel of the machineA in order to roduce a shearin cut when in o eration. This gageg is composedl ofy a series of parallel connected witheoaeea fingers 57 whose upper extremities are connected with a transverse bar 58. These fingers 57 are of equal length, but the gage occupies a position extending obliquely to the travel of the machine, whereby the lower extremities of the fingers terminate in a line its proj eetion above the surface of the ground.

-Connected with. the transverse bar 34,015 the U-shaped frame 31, is a depending arm 59 in whose lower extremity is journaled a roller 60, the journal of the roller passing through the slot 61 for'purposes of adjustment. This roller 6() occupies a position slightly above the topping knife 40, and its' function is to bear upon the knife whenever .there is a tendency to spring the latter-upof the .resilience of the mawardly by virtue terial. ln this way the roller prevents thev upward springing of rthe ,knifel whereby the latter might be thrown out of operative position.l

Suitably connected with the frame work of the machine forward of the axle, is a sort of metal apron 62, the same being supported by means of a rigid arm 63 made fast to one of the frame bars 8 by means of bolts 64. This ward of the topper knife and is itself provided with a cutting edge 65. j further supported by a rod 66 connected with the apron at its lower extremity as shown at 67, while `lits upper extremity isv connected with a lug 68A When the rod is adjusted elevation to the forward by a set bolt 68. to give the proper extremity of the This apron is -apron occupies a position considerably fori apron or platform 62, it is locked in this osltlon by means of a set/bolt 68. 68.A is bifuroatcd and forms a port wfor the upper part of the rod.

Forward of the apron 62 is located a vertically disposed rotary shaft 69 provided at its lower extremities with radially projecting wings 70 whose function is to act 'on the foliage of the vegetables,

The ug o eration of the? mechanism. Byvirtue of t e construction just described, this surplus ore'xcessive foliage is removed 1n advance of the to per mechanism and gotten out of the way,1t ius obviating the possible clogging of parts-of the machine. l

guide yand supand sweep them l against the edge `65 of the apron whereby izo and pro- 'i distance above the V `=il'l'iieishaft 69 is journaled in a part 71 of a l Z-shaped frame 72 suitably mounted upon y the frame work of the machine. The up er ,i extremity of the shaft 69 is provided wit a L bevel gear 73 meshing with a gear 74 fast on a i shaft 77 journaled in two vertically disposed members 75 and 76 of the Z-shaped frame. This frame is connected with the central frame bar 5v by means of a bolt 78. Centrally mounted upon the shaft 77 4 is a sprocket wheel 79 from which leads a chain 80, to. a sprocket 81 fast on the axle 9 of the machine.

Suitably supported upon the frame work of the machine and extending rearwardly from the .bar 5 and practically in alinement therewith, is the part 47 which is double or composed of two members, its rear extremity forming a support for a seat 82 for the driver during the operation of the machine.v From the foregoing description the use and operation of our improved'construction will be readily understood. The machine when in use is drawn across the iield by a team, the `ground wheels of the machine straddling the row of beets or other vegetables to be topped. Whenthe foliage of the beets is of such a na-I ture as to require it, thc rotary'shaftv 69, the rotary wings 7() together with the apron or platform 62 and its cutting edge 65 are utilized whereby a-emisiderahle portion of the foliageis eut otl`, thrown uponvthe platform and swept otll b r the radial wings to one side, that is to say out of the path of the topping knife. As the machine proceeds, the lower extremity of the gage engages the portions of the vegetables which project above the surface. of the ground and regulate the cutting plane of the knife. lf a beet projects considerablyv from the ground, the gage acting -on the vertically swinging frame, will raise the latter together with the knife 4() and cause the knife to cutthe top of the beet in a propel' plane.. lf the next beet is lower,'the gage descends and also cuts the neck of the lower 'beetin the proper plane. By having the knife as well as the gage ofconsiderable transverse width, all of the vegetables ofthe row may be topped even though some ofthe individual specimens are considerably out of alinement. The function of the rotary disk 16, is by its engagement with the ground, to form 'a guide for the machine whereby the latter is prevented fronnundue lateral move- 55 ment. This device also performs the func- F'tion of cutting away a portion of the foliage of the vegetables on one side.- This function is especially valuable where the foliage of the vegetables is so close to the ground that the radial wings 7() together with the apron or platform 62 and its cutter, cannot reach them. lt often happens that late in the season the foliage of-bcets and other vegetables occupies a position very close to the surface of the ground. ln this event it would be impracticable to use the foliage-clearing mechanism composed of the parts 62, 65,69 and,v l 70, in which event as heretofore stated theel'. cutting disk would clear away a portion ofl the lfoliage and leave the way clear for the forward extremity of the cutting edge of the knife to act uponv the top. This cutter is vertically adjustable by means of a lever 21 and. when forced downwardly into the operative position (see Fig. 3), it'performs the function heretofore explained. When themachine is in use, it 1s evident that the vertically swinging frame carrying the topping knife and the gage, are lowered tothe p'osition shown in Fig. 3, by the proper adjustmentof the lever 48. The weights 42 and 54, serve to steady the mechanism, and by their adjustment the pro er vertical tension or downward pressure i ue to gravity, may beregulated and `controlled. When the ma-v chine is not in use the vertically swingingl frame carrying the topping knife and gage 'are raised to the osition shown in Fig. 2 by the lever 48 and field in this position by the gravity pawl 48^ its tooth 48B engaging the end ofthevbar 5.

Having 'thus described our invention, what we claim is:

f 1. In a vegetable top ing machine, the combination with a re atively stationary frame work, of a verticallyoscillating frame' mounted thereon, a topping knife carried by the frame, a gage also mounted on the oscillating frame and being rearwardly and downwardly inclined from its forward extremity, the said gage occupying a position oblique to the travel of the machine, and its rear extremity being parallel with the topping knife which is inclined to the direction of the machines travel to produce a shearing cut and a roller normally occu ying a position just above the lknife andadapted to eng-age the latter in case of a tendency to s ring the knife unduly upwardly, substantia ly as de-l scribed.

2. The combination with a relativelystationary frame work, of a vertically oscillating frame mounted thereon, a topping knife carried by the last named frame, a depending arm alsomounted on the frame, its lower extremity being provided with a roller normally occup ing a position just above the knife and adapted to engage the latter, in case of a tendency to s ring the knife unduly upwardly, substantial as described.

3. In a machine of t e class described, the combination'with a, main frame work, of a vertically oscillating frame mounted thereon, a vertically adjustable arm mounted on the oscillating frame, a topping knife connected with the lower extremity of the arm, a washer having a beveled face, thel said washerilbeing mounted on the frame in engagement with the knife-sup ortin arm, whereby by the adjustment of tiie was er the stantially as described.

. pose of giving a shearing cut, a vertically ad.-

justable rotary disk mounted on the station- 1o f frame mounted thereon, a topping knife, and

the oscillating frame, and `counter'alance tionary frame, of a vertically oscillating on the frame for the purpose set forth.

I frame, of a vertically oscillating frame mountposition of the arm'may be regulated, sub- 4. The combination with a relatively sta-v tionary frame, of a vertically oscillating framemounted thereon, a knife supported by said frame, the osition of the knife forming an angle to the irection of travel for the pura gage carried thereby, means for adjustably sus ending the oscillating frame whereby its ver ical position may be regulated at will and a vertically adjustable rotary disk mounted 6. The combination with a' stationary ed thereon, topping devices carried by said frame, means for adjustably sus ending wei hts connected with the frame and exten 4ing b'oth forwardly and rearwardly from a vertical plane and assing through the centers of osc1llation,su st'antially as described. 'j

7. The combination with aI relatively sta-V fralne, a beet. topping device carried, by the last named frame, and a verticallyv adjustable rotary disk mounted on the stationary frame and adapted to enter the ground during the-performance of the beet topping function, for the purpose set forth.

8. In a machine of the vclass described, the combination withv a relatively stationary frame, of a vertically ladjustable auxiliary frame mounted thereon, a tolpping knife carried by said frame, a rotary sk, a vertically adjustable bar upon which said disk is mounted, the disk being connected with the bar to permit rotary adjustment on an axis at right angles to the axis of the disk whereby Vthe positionA of the axis of the disk with reference to the/direction of travel may be regulated at will. V Y y 9. rlhe combination with a relatively stas tionary frame, of an auxiliary frame .movably mounted thereon, beet topping devices carried by the frame, a vertical adjustable bar mounted on said stationary frame, a'rotary guide disk mounted on the bar and means connected with the bar for regulating its ver# tical. position, said, means comprising a lever,

` a connection between the lever and the bar,

and a quadrant cooperating with the lever whereby the bar may be thrust downward andthe rotary disk maintained in osition to penetrate the earth to a pre etermned depth, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof wealx our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

SQU'IRE RALPH 'GIDDINGS DAVlD T. BLEVINS.

` Witnesses:

C. B. BREWER, E. W. THAYER. 

